Setting: Post-War: Bree Homesteads → The Prancing Pony → Bree Mess Hall → Bree Scholar's Hall
Featuring: Alairif, Guriwen, Naridalis, Raspi, Deorla, Blacibella, Overkill, Rachon, Medalang, Thyalith, Salandril, Holoin, Aureliane, Eldralir & Wittkun
The Old Kin House and the New Beginning
At a quiet milestone near the gates of Bree’s southern homesteads, the Company of the East Road had convened. In response to a summons from their leader, Deorla, it was likely the first occasion that many members of the kinship had gathered so. Typically, many in the Company would spend long periods away from this area, traveling extensively across various lands to maintain peace and fulfill various contracts along the East Road. Most attendees had also recently enlisted, making this assembly an opportunity to form new bonds while also addressing specific administrative matters that were on Deorla’s agenda.
Naridalis counted herself among these newest recruits, and seeing so many gathered by the milestone’s firelight, speaking of hearth and home, was a rare and warm sight for her. Used to being alone in the wilderness, she was more at ease beneath the stars than surrounded by stone. However, she understood that there was strength to be found in shared purpose, especially with news of a kin house.
The Company had long maintained a house within these homesteads, though admittedly, the old structure had seen better days. ‘Age comes to us all,’ Naridalis thought to herself, though not quite in the same way it did for people of her lineage (elves). She wondered, for a moment, where she had picked up such a saying.
The old kin house had been highly valued as a meeting place for those conducting the Company's business. Its proximity to Bree and the surrounding areas made it incredibly convenient. It held memories of past adventures and achievements but was no longer adequate for the growing kinship’s needs. The Company’s leadership had been searching for a solution for some time. Fortunately, hope was rekindled with the acquisition of a spacious new house nearby. The old house had even been sold for a tidy profit! Deorla recounted this to the gathered group.
The New Kin House: A Place for the Future
The group departed the milestone, with Deorla and the Company’s officers leading the way into the homesteads. They discussed the work that would be required to make the transition from the old to the new kin house, with a visit to the new property itself.
The new kin house stood proudly near the entrance to the neighbourhood, in a fine location for "receiving messages swiftly and gathering easily," as Deorla had put it. Though still in need of furnishings and personal touches, the house had "good bones" - a solid structure with plenty of room to grow, both inward and outward. In fact, the profit from the sale of the old house had made it possible to acquire a few surrounding smaller homes for use by the Company as well. It was noted that the beginnings of a crafting hall, perhaps the most utilized feature, were already taking shape - a testament to the swift work undertaken by the Company’s officers already.
It was Alairif who first remarked that the new house was a "fine-looking place," while others, like Blacilbella, were more concerned with practicalities: her ‘pie station’ and the ‘absence of dogs.’ Overkill offered trophies from past adventures to adorn the hall, and many voiced their desire to shape the house into a welcoming shared space for all. Though Naridalis found such dwellings novel, even she could see the house’s potential as a hub for the kin’s many adventures to come.
Tasks Ahead: Moving and Negotiations
As the group gathered, Deorla outlined the tasks ahead. The move to the new kin house would occur immediately, and the most pressing task was to transport belongings from the old house to the new one. There was also a need for some members to establish new crafting spaces.
Deorla also had an important task for those willing to travel. She explained that there was a group of woodworker guilds in the North Downs, known for providing some of the finest wood and craftsmanship in all of Eriador. Deorla requested that some of the Company journey north to negotiate with these guilds for both wood and skilled labour to improve the new kin house.
Guriwen, a bard of no small renown, was chosen by Deorla to lead the expedition north and seek terms with the woodworker guilds. Though known for her songs, Guriwen seemed hesitant in the role of negotiator. Despite this uncertainty, others were resolute. Rachon exclaimed, “Words are not my weapon, but I can offer some protection along the way.” Alairif added, “We can handle any issues that may arise.” Raspi humorously remarked, “Do not worry if you fail, Guriwen; we’ll just go straight into the knee-busting ‘overture’ and jaw-crushing ‘coda.’” This comment earned a quick chiding from Medalang, though Raspi was clearly grinning when saying it.
Naridalis, too, offered words of encouragement. “Guriwen, your gift with words is clear to all of us. But if this task weighs on you, then we will stand by you. Negotiation is but another kind of battle, and we are all here to support each other in it.”
The collective support given seemed to provide Guriwen with sufficient confidence to accept the role and embark on the venture. The fellowship made preparations to depart, with some already saddling their steeds in eagerness. A message had to almost be shouted after them to rendezvous at the Prancing Pony in Bree to discuss next steps for the trip ahead.
Gathering at the Prancing Pony
As the evening wore on, the kin gathered at the Prancing Pony in Bree-town, sharing stories, forming bonds, and planning the next day’s ride. The Pony was busy, with a traveling group speaking a far-off language occupying much of the hall, to Butterbur’s delight. The music was lively and the food good. As the drink flowed, discussions about the task at hand dwindled, and soon the fellowship was lost in conversation and laughter.
Perhaps most importantly, it was Blacilbella who mentioned that her sister, Dolly, could be found in the North Downs. Something which could prove helpful indeed if the fellowship encountered difficulties on the road and needed local assistance.
Naridalis watched Guriwen’s quiet unease that evening with conflicting thoughts of her own. Leading a fellowship north into uncertain wilds was a different kind of journey for the bard; that much was evident. Yet, Naridalis knew that courage often stirred in the doing, not the knowing.
Though the comfort of stone walls meant little to her, Naridalis understood the need for a kin house - a refuge in ever darkening days, and as the Company was growing, it required more organisation and more resources to fulfill its purpose along the East Road. The timber they sought would strengthen not just the walls of this new kin house but serve to provide the entire kinship with a renewed purpose. And that, she thought, was worth the potential dangerous that might be found ahead of them.
Reflections at night in Bree-town
After the main gathering, a smaller, more contemplative group broke off after the main group retired for the evening for sleep. Alairif, Naridalis, and Raspi quietly departed the noise and bustle, seeking the relative calm of Bree-town’s mess hall. There, by the modest glow of firelight and the scent of long-stewed broth, their conversation turned more thoughtful. Naridalis liberated some ale and wine from nearby unattended barrels (with some coin left in recompense, naturally).
Alairif, steady and grounded, seemed intent on gently steering the group toward readiness. “Tomorrow, we head for Trestlebridge,” he said with calm resolve, affirming the Company’s direction northward. Naridalis, ever watchful, nodded in agreement. “A sensible path,” she offered. “And one well-worn by my boots in years past. Still, the wilds beyond are not idle. Orcs and fouler things roam the North Downs, especially if we are to venture past the mountains and procure the lumber ourselves. This fellowship may yet be tested, and we will need to rely on Guriwen finding her strength before the task is done - whether she will need help in doing so or not”.
Raspi, leaning back on his bench, added a note of humility. “Truth be told, I’ve always considered myself more of a companion than a kin-fellow. I keep the ‘company’ of this company, if you follow my meaning, but I don’t fully carry its banner in all things.” His honesty was met with quiet understanding - a moment that subtly deepened the bond between the three.
As the hour grew later, Salandril arrived, visibly worn from travel and battle. He recounted recent skirmishes with brigands in the Lone-lands, downing ale to wash away more than just the day’s hardships. Holoin joined soon after, cracking a smile as he sat down. “The lot at the Pony could drown out a warg pack,” he quipped, causing Raspi to chuckle. “And none of them carry a tune as well.”
The conversation ebbed and flowed between levity and reflection. Naridalis watched quietly, the flicker of firelight dancing in her eyes, as each voice added to the growing fabric of the fellowship.
Later into the night, more individuals joined the group. Eldralir briefly appeared before departing eastward to Moria for undisclosed tasks. A stranger named Thyalith joined the group, along with another Aureliane, a friend of Alairif and Guriwen. Wittkun, a fellow kin-mate had also appeared shortly after Raspi took his leave.
Eventually, those who had not yet retired (those with the good sense to do so) drifted toward the Scholar’s Hall, drawn to the peace of parchment and candlelight - and perhaps the promise of some stashed ale.
Discussions shifted from the task at hand to broader reflections on their purpose and the impact of their efforts. Salandril reflected on the fatigue of his merchant journeys, Alairif deliberated on leadership and commitment to defend those in need, and Naridalis spoke of the dangers ahead, emphasising the need for preparedness for the road ahead; particularly given the dangers in the North Downs (such as Orcs).
Aureliane participated intermittently in the conversations, primarily engaging with Alairif and occasionally with Thyalith, but seemed especially affected when Naridalis mentioned Orcs. There were murmurs about healing and being "brought back," though their meaning remained unclear.
As the night wore on, Salandril, weary from travel and drink, collapsed in a drunken stupor, and was benevolently covered by Wittkun’s cloak. The time had long come to retire for the night, and the group dispersed… with Salandril curled up beside a stack of scholarly works…
The Road Ahead
Though no formal declarations were made, a unified sense of resolve had settled among the group. A collection of individuals, brought together in kinship, they were not just travelers on a task; they were a quiet defence against emerging threats. Despite the modest nature of their mission north in the broader context of world affairs, the Company's efforts to restore their home and fortify their strength to maintain peace along the East Road were reaffirmed – and would hopefully stand up to the challenges ahead.
For Naridalis, the evening encapsulated something more profound than the immediate goal of reestablishing the kin house and seeking out necessary materials. She saw that this kinship might just endure not only through shared objectives but through shared experiences, such as the one they had just had that evening. The days and road ahead would test this evening’s foundation, but she was happy to be a part of the shared business of it all.
Continues with “Where the Road Darkens (Kin RP - Entry 02)”
